This thesis project is about an associations union and territorial practice through the lens of collaborative construction. The project started with reading a newspaper article about an associations union being evicted from Fältöversten Centrum. The union contains 53 clubs, associations, and interest groups. I interviewed members of the different clubs and associations about what they liked about their old space and what they would like in a new space and outlined a program with them. The site is on the median of Valhallavägen, a boulevard in central Stockholm. The site is poor, given it’s surroundings of noteworthy architecture and significance within the cities grid. I conducted experiments to learn about the site. One being an on-site chair building workshop that contributed its’ resultant chairs to the site for public use. The chairs movements and orientations around the site were documented.  The proposal is a series of small houses spread throughout the site. In order to provide a construction method that’s both appropriate for self builders and spatially interesting, I adapted construction principles discovered during the chair workshop: beams joined by form-cut panels to created 2d trusses. The trusses intend to provide levels of spatial interest in the interior, as well as being a lexicon of the structures principles. the plans of the houses are left intentionally under-designed, the intention being that this leaves the interiors free for appropriation. Spaces include atelier spaces, workshops, makers spaces, meeting rooms, kitchens, auditoriums, greenhouse and a dancehall. The intention of these spaces, their location, orientations, construction and program are to manifest a parallel city, a deconstructed landmark of shared resources and knowledge, and a porous, inclusive, urban image.

The use and application of 4 Dimensional Computer Aided Design (4D CAD) is growing within the construction industry. 4D approaches have been the focus of many research efforts within the last decade and several commercial tools now exist for the creation of construction simulations using 4D approaches. However, there are several key limitations to the current approaches. For example, 4D models are normally developed after the initial planning of a project has taken place using more traditional techniques such as Critical Path Method (CPM). Furthermore, mainstream methodologies for planning are based on individual facets of the construction process developed by discrete contractors or sub-contractors. Any 4D models generated from these data are often used to verify work flows and identify problems that may arise, either in terms of work methods or sequencing issues. Subsequently, it is perceived that current 4D CAD approaches provide a planning review mechanism rather than a platform for a novel integrated approach to construction planning. The work undertaken in this study seeks to address these issues through the application of a distributed virtual reality (VR) environment for collaborative 4D based construction planning. The key advances lie in catering for geographically dispersed planning by discrete construction teams. By leveraging networked 4D-VR based technologies, multidisciplinary planners, in different places, can be connected to collaboratively perform planning and create an integrated and robust construction schedule leading to a complete 4D CAD simulation. Establishing such a complex environment faces both technological and social challenges. Technological challenges arise from the integration of traditional and recent 4D approaches for construction planning with an ad hoc application platform of VR linked through networked computing. Social challenges arise from social dynamics and human behaviours when utilizing VR-based applications for collaborative work. An appropriate 4D-based planning method in a networked VR based environment is the key to gaining a technical advancement and this approach to distributed collaborative planning tends to promote computer-supported collaborative work (CSCW). Subsequently, probing suitable CSCW design and user interface/interaction (UI) design are imperative for solutions to achieve successful applicability. Based on the foregoing, this study developed a novel robust 4D planning approach for networked construction planning. The new method of interactive definition was devised through theoretical analysis of human-computer interaction (HCI) studies, a comparison of existing 4D CAD creation, and 3D model based construction planning. It was created to support not only individual planners’ work but multidisciplinary planners’ collaboration, and lead to interactive and dynamic development of a 4D simulation. From a social perspective, the method clarified and highlighted relevant CSCW design to enhance collaboration. Applying this rationale, the study specified and implemented a distributed groupware solution for collaborative 4D construction planning. Based on a developed system architecture, application mode and dataflow, as well as a real-time data exchange protocol, a prototype system entitled ‘4DX’ was implemented which provides a platform for distributed multidisciplinary planners to perform real-time collaborative 4D construction planning. The implemented toolkit targeted a semi-immersive VR platform for enhanced usability with compatibility of desktop VR. For the purpose of obtaining optimal UI design of this kind of VR solution, the research implemented a new user-centred design (UCD) framework of Taguchi-Compliant User-Centred Design (TC-UCD) by adapting and adopting the Taguchi philosophy and current UCD framework. As a result, a series of UIs of the VR-based solution for multifactor usability evaluation and optimization were developed leading to a VR-based solution with optimal UIs. The final distributed VR solution was validated in a truly geographically dispersed condition. Findings from the verification testing, the validation, and the feedback from construction professionals proved positive in addition to providing constructive suggestions to further reinforce the applicability of the approach in the future.

Esta dissertação visa apresentar a trajetória e os resultados da análise da atividade oficina de construção colaborativa de textos multimodais em ambiente virtual wiki, ministrada a 52 usuários do Telecentro instalado na Biblioteca Pública Municipal Monteiro Lobato, na cidade de São Paulo. Os dados foram coletados de junho de 2008 a fevereiro de 2009, período de duração das cinco turmas da oficina. Utilizando os preceitos da teoria da atividade (Leontiev, 1978; Engeström, 1997; Nardi, 1996) e principalmente o conceito de contradições apontado pela teoria (Engeström, 1997) procura-se identificar, classificar e problematizar, na análise de dados, as contradições relacionadas a aspectos linguísticos, cognitivos, sociais, culturais e técnicos que surgem entre os elementos que compõem a atividade (sujeito, ferramentas, objeto, regras, comunidade e divisão do trabalho) durante a realização da oficina. A análise das contradições da atividade demonstra, contudo, que professora e alunos não encontraram soluções em todos os casos. Concluiu-se nesta pesquisa que a análise das contradições da atividade foi profícua para a compreensão detalhada das relações entre os componentes da atividade em todos os seus níveis. Também foi compreendido que uma análise dessa importância deve sempre motivar e ser seguida pelo planejamento e implementação de um modelo de reformulação da atividade que incorpore ações de transformação e inovação, que efetivamente levem aos resultados esperados. Embora o escopo desta pesquisa não tenha permitido que isso fosse feito, algumas sugestões de como se poderia tentar fazê-lo em pesquisas futuras são esboçadas e apresentadas no final do trabalho. / This dissertation aims to present the history and the results of the analysis of the activity: workshop for collaborative construction of multimodal texts in a virtual environment wiki, taught to 52 users of the Telecentro located at the Public Municipal Library Monteiro Lobato, in the city of São Paulo. Data were collected from June 2008 to February 2009. Using the precepts of activity theory (Leontiev, 1978; Engeström, 1997; Nardi, 1996) and especially the concept of contradictions, pointed out by that theory (Engeström, 1997), this research seeks to identify, classify and discuss the contradictions related to the linguistic, cognitive, social, cultural and technical aspects arising among the elements of the activity (subject, tools, object, rules, community and division of labor) during the workshop. The analysis done shows however, that teacher and students did not find solutions to all the contradictions that emerged. We conclude that this study\'s analysis of the contradictions of the activity was helpful for the detailed understanding of the relationship among the components of the activity, at all levels. An analysis of this importance should motivate and be followed by planning and implementing of a reformulation model that incorporates actions for change and innovation, and effectively, leading to expected results. Although the scope of this research did not allow it to be done, some suggestions on how one might do so in future research are outlined at the end of this study.

Esta dissertação visa apresentar a trajetória e os resultados da análise da atividade oficina de construção colaborativa de textos multimodais em ambiente virtual wiki, ministrada a 52 usuários do Telecentro instalado na Biblioteca Pública Municipal Monteiro Lobato, na cidade de São Paulo. Os dados foram coletados de junho de 2008 a fevereiro de 2009, período de duração das cinco turmas da oficina. Utilizando os preceitos da teoria da atividade (Leontiev, 1978; Engeström, 1997; Nardi, 1996) e principalmente o conceito de contradições apontado pela teoria (Engeström, 1997) procura-se identificar, classificar e problematizar, na análise de dados, as contradições relacionadas a aspectos linguísticos, cognitivos, sociais, culturais e técnicos que surgem entre os elementos que compõem a atividade (sujeito, ferramentas, objeto, regras, comunidade e divisão do trabalho) durante a realização da oficina. A análise das contradições da atividade demonstra, contudo, que professora e alunos não encontraram soluções em todos os casos. Concluiu-se nesta pesquisa que a análise das contradições da atividade foi profícua para a compreensão detalhada das relações entre os componentes da atividade em todos os seus níveis. Também foi compreendido que uma análise dessa importância deve sempre motivar e ser seguida pelo planejamento e implementação de um modelo de reformulação da atividade que incorpore ações de transformação e inovação, que efetivamente levem aos resultados esperados. Embora o escopo desta pesquisa não tenha permitido que isso fosse feito, algumas sugestões de como se poderia tentar fazê-lo em pesquisas futuras são esboçadas e apresentadas no final do trabalho. / This dissertation aims to present the history and the results of the analysis of the activity: workshop for collaborative construction of multimodal texts in a virtual environment wiki, taught to 52 users of the Telecentro located at the Public Municipal Library Monteiro Lobato, in the city of São Paulo. Data were collected from June 2008 to February 2009. Using the precepts of activity theory (Leontiev, 1978; Engeström, 1997; Nardi, 1996) and especially the concept of contradictions, pointed out by that theory (Engeström, 1997), this research seeks to identify, classify and discuss the contradictions related to the linguistic, cognitive, social, cultural and technical aspects arising among the elements of the activity (subject, tools, object, rules, community and division of labor) during the workshop. The analysis done shows however, that teacher and students did not find solutions to all the contradictions that emerged. We conclude that this study\'s analysis of the contradictions of the activity was helpful for the detailed understanding of the relationship among the components of the activity, at all levels. An analysis of this importance should motivate and be followed by planning and implementing of a reformulation model that incorporates actions for change and innovation, and effectively, leading to expected results. Although the scope of this research did not allow it to be done, some suggestions on how one might do so in future research are outlined at the end of this study.

Determination of cell signalling behaviour is crucial for understanding the physiological response to a specific stimulus or drug treatment. Current approaches for large-scale data analysis do not effectively incorporate critical topological information provided by the signalling network. We herein describe a novel model- and data-driven hybrid approach, or signal transduction score flow algorithm, which allows quantitative visualization of cyclic cell signalling pathways that lead to ultimate cell responses such as survival, migration or death. This score flow algorithm translates signalling pathways as a directed graph and maps experimental data, including negative and positive feedbacks, onto gene nodes as scores, which then computationally traverse the signalling pathway until a pre-defined biological target response is attained. Initially, experimental data-driven enrichment scores of the genes were computed in a pathway, then a heuristic approach was applied using the gene score partition as a solution for protein node stoichiometry during dynamic scoring of the pathway of interest. Incorporation of a score partition during the signal flow and cyclic feedback loops in the signalling pathway significantly improves the usefulness of this model, as compared to other approaches. Evaluation of the score flow algorithm using both transcriptome and ChIP-seq data-generated signalling pathways showed good correlation with expected cellular behaviour on both KEGG and manually generated pathways. Implementation of the algorithm as a Cytoscape plug-in allows interactive visualization and analysis of KEGG pathways as well as user-generated and curated Cytoscape pathways. Moreover, the algorithm accurately predicts gene-level and global impacts of single or multiple in silico gene knockouts. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.

Determination of cell signalling behaviour is crucial for understanding the physiological response to a specific stimulus or drug treatment. Current approaches for large-scale data analysis do not effectively incorporate critical topological information provided by the signalling network. We herein describe a novel model- and data-driven hybrid approach, or signal transduction score flow algorithm, which allows quantitative visualization of cyclic cell signalling pathways that lead to ultimate cell responses such as survival, migration or death. This score flow algorithm translates signalling pathways as a directed graph and maps experimental data, including negative and positive feedbacks, onto gene nodes as scores, which then computationally traverse the signalling pathway until a pre-defined biological target response is attained. Initially, experimental data-driven enrichment scores of the genes were computed in a pathway, then a heuristic approach was applied using the gene score partition as a solution for protein node stoichiometry during dynamic scoring of the pathway of interest. Incorporation of a score partition during the signal flow and cyclic feedback loops in the signalling pathway significantly improves the usefulness of this model, as compared to other approaches. Evaluation of the score flow algorithm using both transcriptome and ChIP-seq data-generated signalling pathways showed good correlation with expected cellular behaviour on both KEGG and manually generated pathways. Implementation of the algorithm as a Cytoscape plug-in allows interactive visualization and analysis of KEGG pathways as well as user-generated and curated Cytoscape pathways. Moreover, the algorithm accurately predicts gene-level and global impacts of single or multiple in silico gene knockouts. / Dieser Beitrag ist mit Zustimmung des Rechteinhabers aufgrund einer (DFG-geförderten) Allianz- bzw. Nationallizenz frei zugänglich.